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Social Sciences

Artisan in Social Work and Community Development

The Artisan in Social Work and Community Development is a TVET-CDACC examined programme that introduces trainees to the fundamentals of social work practice, community development, and social support services. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and assessed through the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC).

Duration
1 year
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 67,189
Ksh 67,189 total
Private tuition
Ksh 150,000
Ksh 150,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 67,189 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 150,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of D- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 1 year, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

Trainees develop competencies in community mobilisation, basic counselling, social support services, project support, and community needs assessment. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with practical field experience through community attachments.

Kenya's social development sector employs support personnel to assist social workers and community development officers in delivering services to vulnerable populations. The programme aligns with the government's social protection agenda and the work of NGOs in community development.

The course is delivered through classroom instruction and community-based practice. Trainees participate in field visits, community assessments, and attachments at social development organisations to gain practical experience.

Graduates can work as social work assistants, community development support staff, or project assistants in NGOs, community-based organisations, and government departments. The programme provides a foundation for progression to Certificate in Social Work and Community Development.

This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of D (plain) or D- (minus) who are passionate about helping communities and supporting vulnerable populations. It serves as an entry point into the social development profession.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Social Work Basics
  • Community Development
  • Basic Counselling
  • Community Mobilisation
  • Social Support Services
  • Project Support
  • Communication Skills
  • Community Needs Assessment

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Introduction to Social Work

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduces the principles and values of social work, the role of social workers, and the Kenyan social welfare system.

  • Community Development Basics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers community development concepts, participatory approaches, and the role of communities in their own development.

  • Basic Counselling Skills

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Develops foundational counselling skills including active listening, empathy, and basic helping techniques for support roles.

  • Community Mobilisation

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Trainees learn techniques for mobilising communities around development initiatives and social action.

  • Social Support Services

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers identification of vulnerable populations, basic needs assessment, and referral to social services.

  • Community Needs Assessment

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Introduces basic methods for assessing community needs including observation, interviews, and community mapping.

  • Communication Skills

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective

    Develops interpersonal communication skills for working with individuals, groups, and communities.

  • Project Support

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Introduces basic project support skills including activity planning, record keeping, and reporting for community projects.

Specialisations

  • Child Support

    Focuses on supporting child welfare programmes and child protection activities.

  • Elderly Care Support

    Supports services for elderly persons in communities and care facilities.

  • Community Project Support

    Assists in planning and implementing community development projects.

  • Vulnerable Groups Support

    Works with vulnerable populations including persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.

A day as a student

A typical day includes morning theory on social work principles or community development concepts, followed by afternoon field visits where trainees practise community mobilisation, needs assessment, and basic counselling under supervision.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Social development is a growing sector with NGO and government employment opportunities.Social work can be emotionally demanding when dealing with vulnerable populations.
Short training duration enables quick entry into community work.Entry-level positions may offer modest remuneration.
Work has meaningful social impact through helping vulnerable populations.—

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses
Public67k to 67k
67k at Kamukunji TVC67k at Public TVET colleges
Private15k to 150k
15k at KIBCo150k at WICHS

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public TVET 67,189/yr (kamukunjitvc.ac.ke). Private: KIBCo 14.8K, WICHS 150K/yr.

HELB TVET loans and county bursaries are available for eligible students in CDACC-accredited programmes.

Funding options

  • HELB TVET Loan

  • County Bursary

  • NGAAF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

  • HELB TVET Loan

    LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions

  • County Bursary

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes

Scholarships you could apply for

1 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
D-minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCPE certificate or equivalent. Interest in community work and social development.

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including Chepalungu Technical Training Institute, Bartmore Technical College.

May 20272 institutions

Including Chepalungu Technical Training Institute, Bartmore Technical College.

September 20272 institutions

Including Chepalungu Technical Training Institute, Bartmore Technical College.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • CDACC Practical Assessment

    Practical assessment60% of the mark

    Competency-based practical assessment of social work and community development skills.

  • CDACC Theory Assessment

    Written assessment30% of the mark

    Written assessment of social work theory and knowledge.

  • Field Attachment Assessment

    Practicum10% of the mark

    Assessment of performance during community field attachment.

Accreditation

  • Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council

    AcademicRequired

    TVET-CDACC assesses and certifies competencies under the CBET framework for social work.

  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority

    AcademicRequired

    TVETA accredits institutions offering social work programmes.

Assessed and certified by TVET-CDACC under the CBET framework. Institutions accredited by TVETA.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Social Work Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 35,000

    Assists social workers in delivering services to vulnerable individuals and families.

  • Community Development Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 35,000

    Supports community development officers in implementing projects and programmes.

  • NGO Project Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 40,000

    Provides support to NGO community development projects including field work and reporting.

  • Community Outreach Worker

    Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 35,000

    Conducts community outreach activities for social development organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as social work assistants and community development support staff in NGOs and government departments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Social work is just about giving handouts.

    Social work involves professional assessment, counselling, empowerment, and community capacity building.

  • Artisan-level social work has no career prospects.

    Graduates can progress to certificate and diploma levels, with opportunities in NGOs, government, and international organisations.

  • Social work is only for women.

    Social work is a profession for all genders, with many male social workers making significant contributions.

  • Community development is volunteer work with no pay.

    Many organisations employ paid support staff for community development projects and social services.

Further reading

Read next